insideKENT Magazine Issue 76 - July 2018 | Page 66
VISITKENT
EXHIBITION TELLS
THE LADYBIRD ARTISTS’ STORIES
A SPECIAL EXHIBITION UNCOVERING THE STORY OF THE ARTISTS WHO
ILLUSTRATED LADYBIRD BOOKS FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS OPENED
AT THE BEANEY IN CANTERBURY ON SATURDAY 9TH JUNE.
Ladybird books have been a
familiar fixture on children’s
bookshelves since the 1950s, but
few people are aware that they
actually date back to the early
days of the Second World War.
For the first time, this exhibition
puts on display an unparalleled
collection of books, original
artwork and artefacts and shows
how the numerous, talented
Ladybird illustrators played such
an enormous role in the
extraordinary success of the
company in the 20th century.
Tracing the interconnected work
of these artists, the Ladybird story
itself is recounted over its ‘golden
66
years’ – 1940 to 1975. Visually rich
and varied, the exhibition will
evoke many memories of
childhood.
Baker, said: “Everyone will have had
Ladybird books on their shelves at
some point in their life, so this colourful
and hugely varied collection will
remind people of their childhood days
and of a world that is fast disappearing.
It is jointly curated by The Beaney
and Ladybird enthusiast Helen
Day, who has spent more than
20 years researching the
company and collecting items.
The exhibition is supported by a
variety of family activities,
including a make-your-own
Ladybird book, Ladybird
gallery trail and make-and-do
finger puppet.
Chairman of the city council’s
Community Committee, Cllr Neil
“We’re very pleased to be working
with Helen Day on the curation of this
exhibition and to be revealing the
lives and stories of the illustrators who
helped to make the Ladybird books
such an important part of our
literary heritage.”
© C F Tunnicliffe
The Story of the Ladybird artists 1940
to 1975 runs from Saturday 9th June to Sunday 23rd September in the
Special Exhibitions Room at The Beaney. Admission is free.
www.thebeaney.co.uk